Mercedes heats up the floor in Paris with the new AMG GT and GT S

Mercedes says that its new AMG GT and GT S coupes signal a move into a new, top-class sports car segment for the company. Both cars are on display at the Paris Motor Show, which opened to the public on Saturday, and Gizmag stopped by for a closer look.

Officially unveiled last month, and loosely based on the iconic Gullwing from 60 years ago, the new AMG GT has stylistically changed slightly over its predecessor. The long hood and short two-seat cockpit configuration from the SLS are still in play, but the finishing move off the roofline to the bumper has been smoothed out and made more fluid. The car's lines running from the front wheel to the door edge have also received a new scalloped, flowing design treatment from Mercedes.

But the big news for the AMG GT and GT S is the revised powerplant under the outstretched hoods. Using an all-new, 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8, the GT variant produces 462 hp (345 kW) and 443 lb.ft (600 Nm) of torque to the rear wheels thanks to a 7-speed gearbox running a dual-clutch setup.

The GT S takes it a step further by upping the power figures to 510 hp (380 kW), while torque gets even more serious to the tune of 479 lb.ft (650 Nm). Those figures give the GT a running time of 0-62 mph (100 km/h) of only 4 seconds, while the GT S is a little quicker at 3.8 seconds.

The GT receives big 255/35R 19 tires up front and 295/35R 19s at the back, and the GT S gets 265/35R 19s on the front and 295/30R 20s out back. A limited-slip differential will be standard on the GT to help keep power in check while the GT S has an electronically controlled differential configuration.

According to Mercedes-Benz the GT S will have an enviable power-to-weight ratio of 3.08 kg/hp, making it the best in its selected class thanks to a new aluminum spaceframe. The GT’s body and bodyshell are 93 percent aluminum, with a front module composed of super-light magnesium alloy.

The 2016 AMG GT S, which appears to be designed to go head-to-head with the likes of Porsche’s 911 and Jaguar’s F-Type, will go on sale around May of 2015 with a price point expected to be comparable with the aforementioned competition. The GT will go on sale at a later date.